On The Fly: Little League Adults Fail The Kids

Jackie Robinson West

Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

Jackie Robinson West Little League players attend a rally in celebration of their national title in Chicago on in August. Jackie Robinson West was stripped of its championship by Little League International on Wednesday.

Jackie Robinson West Little League players attend a rally in celebration of their national title in Chicago on in August. Jackie Robinson West was stripped of its championship by Little League International on Wednesday. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)

Little League Baseball has stripped the Chicago-based Jackie Robinson West team of its U.S. championship for using players outside its geographic area. The title was awarded to the Mountain Ridge team of Las Vegas. Jackie Robinson West manager Darold Butler was suspended from Little League activity, and Illinois District 4 administrator Michael Kelly was removed from his position. Team officials met with neighboring districts in Illinois to claim players and build a super team. Now it's a cheating team. Remember Bronx, N.Y. pitcher Danny Almonte who was over-age in 2001? The team's third-place finish was erased. Isn't it grand how the "adults" who oversaw Almonte and the Jackie Robinson West team, guided their charges so well?

The Rock Cats announced their "Name The Team Contest." Fans can vote starting next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. when the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Harford minor league baseball park occurs at the intersection of Main and Trumbull streets. To vote, go to hartfordplaysball2016.com. Fans are encouraged to suggest a name that includes "Hartford." How about the Hartford Dark Blues, in honor of the city's being in the National League in its inaugural year, 1876? Or the Hartford Senators, in honor of the city's minor league team in the early 1920s when Lou Gehrig was a player? Or how about the Hartford Huskies? They'd certainly have significant mascot possibilities. The winning name will be announced on March 18. The fan with the winning submission will receive the ultimate VIP baseball package (two lifetime season tickets, team jacket, cap and photo in the game program).

Avon Old Farms quarterback Jalen Ollie tweeted he has committed to Fordham.

Hall of Fame basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian has died. He was 84. "Tark the Shark" had a career Division I college record of 729-201. His 1990 Nevada-Las Vegas team won the NCAA title.

Of course the Lakers are troubled and a favorite to finish last in the NBA Western Conference. And then there's swingman Nick Young. Tuesday night he somehow got on the subject of swimming with the dolphins and recounted two incidents at some undisclosed time. "... For some reason, he took me all the way to the bottom. He was trying to drown me. But I saw it happening so I jumped out of the water." Later Young talked about the dolphin and his girlfriend, rapper Iggy Azalea. "He was a little friendly, kissing her and stuff. He was trying to take my woman." Yes, indeed welcome to "la la land."